"Burnout in Disguise, the Silent Signs I ignored, until my body said no more!"

I used to think burnout looked like crying in the office bathroom or passing out from exhaustion at your desk. You know, the dramatic, movie-scene kind of burnout.

But real burnout? The kind that creeps in like a quiet thief, slowly stealing your joy, your energy, and your sense of self? That’s a whole different beast. And I missed it. For years.

Until my body threw up a white flag with flashing lights, a foggy brain, relentless pain, and one heck of a breakdown that ended in a diagnosis I never saw coming: Fibromyalgia.

So, let’s talk about it. Not the Pinterest version of self-care. The real stuff. The sneaky, silent signs of burnout I ignored. And how you can spot them before your body forces you to stop.

The Whispers I Brushed Off

Burnout didn’t kick my door down. It tiptoed in, dressed as “busy.” It wore the disguise of “being a good person,” “pushing through,” and “getting stuff done.”

Here’s what I ignored:

• Bone-deep tiredness that no amount of sleep could fix. (And I really tried.)

• Brain fog that made me feel like I was constantly losing it.

• Muscle pain and tension I blamed on bad posture or “just stress.”

• Emotional outbursts (snapping, crying, then apologising for snapping and crying).

• Joy amnesia. I literally forgot how it felt to be truly excited about anything.

• Sleep that felt like a joke—tossing, turning, overthinking, waking up already tired.

I called it “life.” I called it “normal.” I told myself, “I just need a good night’s sleep” or “Once this project is over, I’ll rest.”

Lies. All of them. Because the truth was, I was running on empty, trying to pour from a cracked and crumbling cup.

Slow down. Check in. Say no. Breathe. Rest.

The Day My Body Said “No More”

There wasn’t a big dramatic moment. It was more like… a slow unraveling.

I started forgetting things. Basic things. I couldn’t find words mid-sentence. My body ached constantly. I couldn’t focus. I’d cry randomly. And I was so tired of being tired.

Eventually, I broke. Emotionally, physically, mentally.

Doctors ran tests. Nothing. More tests. Still nothing. And then came the word I wasn’t expecting: Fibromyalgia.

It wasn’t all in my head. My body had been screaming while I was too busy hustling to hear it.

Why I Didn’t Listen (And Maybe Why You’re Not Either)

I didn’t listen because I was taught that being tired meant I was doing something right.

I was praised for being busy. I thought rest was something you earned, not something you needed. I believed saying “no” made me difficult. That slowing down meant I was falling behind.

And worst of all? I thought asking for help made me weak.

None of that is true.

It’s not weak to rest. It’s not selfish to set boundaries. It’s not lazy to choose your well-being.

The Truth Bombs I’ve Learned Since (With Love, From My Healing Heart)

Healing has taught me things I wish I knew back then. So let me say them now in case you need to hear them:

• You don’t need to earn rest. You already deserve it.

• “Busy” is not a badge of honour. Neither is burnout.

• Saying “no” is an act of self-respect, not rebellion.

• Listening to your body is not a luxury, it’s a survival skill.

Burnout didn’t make me a failure. It made me finally pay attention. And now, I honour my body like it’s my best mate, because it is.

Could You Be Burning Out Too? (Let’s Check, No Judgement)

If you’ve nodded more than once while reading this, check in with yourself. And maybe ask:

• Am I always tired, no matter how much I rest?

• Have I lost excitement for things I once loved?

• Do I feel guilty when I rest or do nothing?

• Is my body in pain more often than not?

• Am I constantly anxious, irritable, or just… flat?

If the answer is “yes” to even a couple, please don’t wait until your body sends the invoice. Take it from me, you don’t want to pay it in full.

A loving note to you if your feeling any of this

You are not weak. You are not dramatic. You are not “too much.”

You’re human. A complex, busy, big-hearted human who’s probably been putting everyone else first for far too long.

So here’s your permission slip: Slow down. Check in. Say no. Breathe. Rest.

Not later. Not when it’s convenient. Now.

Because burnout isn’t the end of your story. It can be the beginning of a new chapter, one where you finally choose you.

With love, care, and so much understanding,

Sonya